Although the root causes, and thus the symptoms, are not always the same, every toothache in Haleiwa has a few things in common: they are painful, they impede a patient’s ability to chew, and they need to be treated by a Kailua Dentist. Emergency treatment is only necessary in extreme cases in which the toothache is severe, it lasts longer than a day or two, or it comes with additional symptoms of infection such as fever, earache, or increased pain upon opening the mouth. Otherwise call a dentist to schedule an appointment when it is convenient.
Only a dentist can determine the root cause of a Toothache in Haleiwa. However, understanding the potential cause of a toothache can help patients to make a list of relevant symptoms to bring to the dentist, who can then provide an accurate diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan.
One of the most common sources of tooth pain is tooth decay or cavities. The extent of the pain, including its strength and duration, will depend on both the amount of decay and its location. No matter the size of a cavity, it must be filled by a dentist to prevent further damage. If left unchecked, this decay can cause the need for extensive repairs such as root canals or even extraction. Fillings that have been placed in existing cavities can also be the culprit. If they are damaged, they can allow bacteria to get in and cause decay to continue around or beneath them. Fractures or breaks in a tooth can produce similar results.
Infections of both the gums and the teeth are also common causes of toothaches. These can be quite severe, and can easily spread around the mouth or even to other areas of the body if they are not addressed. If abscesses, or small, painful pockets of pus, are forming it is time to schedule an emergency appointment. Abscessed teeth are not just painful, they also pose a danger to the patient’s overall physical health and well-being.
Not all tooth pain is due to acute damage, though. If a patient grinds his or her teeth at night, or performs a lot of repetitive motions such as chewing a lot of gum, it can lead to tooth pain as well. If these issues may be a factor it’s important to bring them up to a dentist during a scheduled evaluation.
